Have you ever had a hope, a wish, a pressing need, only to have someone else stomp on and crush that desire of yours to the ground? Your need or dream was made known to them, and they ridiculed and mocked it, or told you to shut up. Your wishes were not important, and you were of no account. If that is something that you experienced at some time, what did you do? Did you just quietly throw your need or dream away, sadly believing what those others told you? Or did you persist all the more? In our Gospel Scripture for today we will meet a man who had a real need, a desire and hope, and how he would not let that be crushed by others.
As our Scripture passage opens, Jesus was preparing to leave the city of Jericho. Crowds had gathered around Him and His disciples. Some would journey on with Jesus, while others were just cheering, joining in the festive atmosphere. Just outside the city gate sat a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (vs. 46). In that era, unless a blind person was from a very wealthy family, just about the only thing they could do was to beg. Bartimaeus had a good spot for begging, as this was the gate of the city, where many people would come and go. As he heard the crowds coming, he probably grew eager, as that might mean some more needed coins tossed his way.
As the crowds continued to grow, Bartimaeus heard some wonderful news, news that would change his life forever. The poor blind man heard that the reason for all of this bustling crowd was that Jesus of Nazareth was coming by as He was leaving the city (vs. 47). Jesus! Bartimaeus must have heard about Jesus before. Over the last year or so, he paid attention to what people said as they came and went through the city gate. He had heard about Jesus, the miracles He had performed and the message He brought. He had heard that, among other things, Jesus had brought sight to the blind! That was what he wanted, but as a poor blind beggar, he had never had a way of traveling to where Jesus was. Now, here Jesus was, right in his own city, and He was going to be passing right by him as He exited the city gate! This was a chance that he could not let pass by!
As Jesus came by, Bartimaeus called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (vs. 47). The term “Son of David” was one that the Jewish people used to refer to the Messiah, and when Bartimaeus called Jesus by that name, it showed he believed Jesus was the Messiah. The crowds, though, were not happy with the beggar’s cries (vs. 48). Who was he, trying to get the attention of the Teacher and Healer? This beggar was an embarrassment. Jericho was a prosperous town, and a blind beggar should not be seen or heard! Shut up and get out of here, they scolded him.
Bartimaeus had hopes. He had a need for healing and a wish that the Messiah might bring him sight, just as he had heard He did for others. This man was not going to shut up and leave! He was not going to let these people squash his need and hope. Instead of slinking off to a corner, Bartimaeus cried out even louder. Jesus heard the man’s cries, and He called him to come over (vs. 49). Jesus hears the cries of all who call to Him, and He bids us all to come.
Then Jesus asked him what might seem to be an unnecessary question. He asked Bartimaeus what he wanted (vs. 51). It was obvious to all that the man was blind, yet Jesus wanted him to tell Him exactly what he wanted. Jesus invited Bartimaeus to think about and tell Him what he really needed. Be honest with ourselves, and bold enough with Jesus. God likes specific prayers when we talk with Him. We don’t need to beat around the bush with God. Being specific with God can be a sign of faith, because we are acknowledging that we know we’re not talking to a far-off being, but a real Person who loves us.
Bartimaeus wanted to see again, and that is what he told Jesus. He didn’t waste anyone’s time with a lot of superfluous words. Jesus saw that he had faith, and that he hadn’t let the crowds stop him from coming, and He rewarded that. Are we letting others turn us away from coming to Jesus with our needs, hopes, and dreams? Are we letting them put us down? Do we have something that we desperately need, but others say that God can’t or won’t hear us? Remember Bartimaeus, and cry out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Bartimaeus received his sight again, and followed Jesus the rest of his life.
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